The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Director Justin Zoras walked past a bookstore in a small town in Nova Scotia one night, and this experience went on to inspire a documentary.
Elizabeth's Books is run by 83-year-old former seaman Chris Webb and the store only opens at night - sometimes for a few hours or whenever the last customer leaves.
Justin Zoras went on to use the store for The Bookstore That Never Sleeps, which is about to have its world premiere at DocEdge.
"It's one of those things where you immediately see the store, it's open at night, and you immediately want to go - hey, that's quirky or that's odd. Which, frankly, it is. But when you actually talk to people about it and you say - hey, have you seen that bookstore? Have you walked by it, what's the deal there? And a lot of the time, people will go - oh that's just Chris...there's a story."
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Michaela Brake is set to make her grand return to the rugby field later this year, having re-signed with New Zealand Rugby through until 2027.
She's made history in the world of Kiwi Sevens - as a two-time Olympic gold medallist and the all-time leading try scorer in women’s international sevens history.
She's had to step off the field to look after her new baby, Harvey, and she's opened up about the new challenges that come with motherhood.
"I was always going to come back to high performance sport...there was no doubt that once I got home from the hospital that I was going to start getting my recovery on track."
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Boring Asian Female by Canwen Xu. This is narrated by Elizabeth Zhang who is a driven,100 percent focused student at Columbia University, desperate to make the right path for herself for which she believes admission into Harvard Law School is a necessity. She’s completely shocked when she doesn’t get in and can’t believe that one of her classmates, Laura Kim, did - and becomes obsessed with Laura, trying to figure out what she has that Elizabeth doesn’t. Anyone who enjoyed Rebecca Kuang’s Yellowface will love this.
A Place to Stand by Clare Ward. Clare is a GP who has spent more than 30 years practising in the Hokianga, in Northland. She’s acutely aware of being Pākehā in a Māori world, having gone there knowing next to nothing about te ao māori and developing a deep respect for the traditions and beliefs which make up that world. This is a real insight into a place and its people from someone who has come to love it there and has a profound appreciation of all that it has taught her. It’s also a really beautiful book - a lovely hardcover with black and white photos throughout.
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New Zealand's first Michelin Guide Restaurant Ceremony is set to take place this week, and there's hope this development could boost tourism.
Food tourism is growing in popularity, with more travellers seeking authentic dining experiences that reflected a destination’s national identity.
BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explained further.
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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 28 June 2026, Sevens superstar Michaela Brake is preparing to make her comeback after re-signing with NZ Rugby. She joins Francesca for a candid chat about the realities of early motherhood and why she's desperate to get back on the field.
A special bookstore in small town Nova Scotia is the subject of a new film. Director Justin Zoras is in studio to share why he was so captivated by this bookshop that only opens at night.
Former All White player and coach Ricki Herbert gives his thoughts on the All Whites' World Cup campaign.
Francesca questions why the Government won't make a move on big tech.
And New Zealand's first Michelin stars will be awarded on Tuesday, our resident chef Mike Van de Elzen talks the significance of the star system and reveals how a former boss deprived him of his own Michelin recognition.
Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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